Confused about update

Long time Opera user. Today I sent in a crash report and I was told I need to upgrade, OK why didnt my auto update work? My update tab shows I'm up to date but I see all these versions people are talking about I'm currently running

Version
12.17
Build
1863
Platform
Win32
System
Windows 7

I've tried for over 2 hrs to do a manual update but the installer does nothing but sit there no download

That is because opera 12.17 was the last presto based engine version of opera. There are no longer any updates for it thus nothing for it to download. In its thinking technically it is up to date,the presto version of it anyway. Opera now has switch to the chrome based engine. The first version of it was "Opera 15 Next" current version is "Opera 26.0.1656.60" The only way to get it is to download the installer package. Here is the link for the installer: http://operasoftware.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/pub/opera/desktop/26.0.1656.60/win/Opera_26.0.1656.60_Setup.exe
Note this is total totally new opera, so when you install this version of opera direct the installation to a different directory from your 12.17. version. This is so that your older version remain intact. You might no like the direction the new version has gone. Remember the developers have start from scratch. Judge for yourself and see.

Because the versions after the 12.x family represent a completely different browser design than before, Opera elected to make 'updating' optional for those older versions. Even then, installing the new versions does not 'replace' the old ones, but instead install in parallel with them - that way users can still access their old versions if wanted.

So, the short story is that v12.17's updater isn't the way to get a new version. Instead, go to the < http://www.opera.com/computer/windows > page to download the new version. Once a new version is installed, it will automatically keep itself updated thereafter.

(sorry for the repeat, @drillbit... I'm on a slow connection today, and your post got there while mine was still in composition/submittal)

Just an edit test by me. Thanks lando242. Best to use blackbird71 link to download opera. It's good for all future versions of opera. I would have edited my own post and made the change, but past the 30 minute time limit.